NIH INFORMATION

• NIH Operates Under a Continuing Resolution (NOT-OD-25-010). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including National Institutes of Health (NIH), operates under Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 118-83) signed by President Biden on September 26, 2024. This Act (CR) continues government operations through December 20, 2024, at the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 enacted level, with no reduction.

• NIH Launches Grants & Funding Website Redesign. Last week, NIH completed a major overhaul of its Grants & Funding website. You can watch a video tour for a summary of key changes to the site’s organization and resources.

• Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health. (NOT-OD-24-178) Office of the Director, NIH. The purpose of this guide notice is to issue the Final NIH Scientific Integrity Policy to promote a continuing culture of scientific integrity at NIH. This Policy codifies NIH’s long-standing expectations to preserve scientific integrity throughout all NIH activities, establishes key roles and responsibilities for those who will lead the agency’s scientific integrity program, and, as appropriate, establishes relevant reporting and evaluation mechanisms. 

New RNCP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

• RFA-AI-24-067: Development of Alternative Human Models of Radiation-Induced Injuries (Extracorporeal Systems) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support early to mid-stage research focused on development of alternative human models of acute and/or delayed radiation-induced injuries (extracorporeal systems) to elucidate mechanisms of injury and to test medical countermeasures to treat and/or mitigate these injuries. Applications are due February 6, 2025.

POST CONFERENCE / WEBINAR INFORMATION

• ISSRDS Conference Highlights. Did you miss the International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) in Boston this year? No need to worry—view highlights of the agenda, speakers, and more on our conference website!

• Medical and Public Health Consequences of Nuclear War: We Must Prevent What We Cannot Cure! If you missed the recent seminar by Dr. Ira Helfand, organized by John Hopkins University Center for Humanitarian Health, you can now watch it on YouTube at the link above.

NIH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• 
  Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research on the Health of Women of Underrepresented, Underserved, and Underreported (U3) Populations (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). The Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) announces the availability of administrative supplements to support research to address health disparities among women in the United States who are underrepresented, underserved, and underreported (U3) in biomedical research. 

• RFA-AI-24-041: Novel Approaches for Radiation Biodosimetry and Medical Countermeasure Development (R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant). The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support exploratory and conceptual research projects in radiation research focused on medical countermeasures, biodosimetry, and animal model development to diagnose/mitigate/treat injuries arising from radiation exposure sustained during a radiation mass casualty incident. This NOFO is intended to support development of preliminary data to help advance high-risk, high-reward projects needed for a robust early product development pipeline that can lead to the advancement of much-needed radiation-exposure related tools and products. Due Date – November 1, 2024.

• NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-078). This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) supports small research projects on cancer that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.
• Enhance Diversity in SBIR/STTR Research Through Administrative Supplements. Recruit, mentor, and support students, postdoctoral scholars, and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research or in Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Research and Development Small Businesses—SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp, Clinical Trial Not Allowed). 

NIH Conference Grant Support

• NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-080). The purpose of the NIH Research Conference Grant (R13) is to support high quality conferences that are relevant to the public health and to the scientific mission of the participating Institutes and Centers. 
  
  NOTE: NIAID funds radiation meetings as part of this solicitation mechanism.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Conferences and Workshops

• RITN Virtual Acute Radiation Syndrome Grand Rounds. November 22, 2024; 2-3 pm EST. Join us for an essential virtual presentation on Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), an increasingly relevant topic in light of recent global events involving nuclear tensions and potential radiological hazards. As geopolitical conflicts heighten concerns over nuclear safety, understanding ARS has never been more critical. This presentation will equip healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge on diagnosis, treatment, and management of ARS, ensuring preparedness in the event of a radiological emergency. With experts in the field of bone marrow transplantation sharing real-world insights, this session offers timely, actionable strategies to protect and save lives. Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Participant profile: Physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses from Hematology, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Trauma care, emergency care. Webinar participation link will be emailed on 11/20/24. FREE ATTENDANCE!

   

• Third International NATO STARS Workshop. Rome, Italy. November 26-29, 2024. We will describe the purpose and function of software tools developed by scientific groups within NATO. These tools either allow an integrated estimation of dose (BAT, WinFRAT), or the prediction of ARS severity based on changes in blood cell counts (H-module) in the first days after an exposure to ionizing radiation. Finally, you will practice your diagnostic skills by predicting clinically relevant degrees of the ARS using a database which includes real case histories – such as those arising from the Chernobyl incident and other accidental industrial exposures. The workshop is for civilian or military personnel with a medical background or dealing with medical decision making in the field of radiological or nuclear threats.

   

• 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IWS). You are cordially invited to submit an abstract for the 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IWS) to be held at the Galveston Island Convention Center, from Tuesday, January 28 through Friday, January 31, 2025. 

   

• 8th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection. This meeting promises to deliver the freshest updates on System revisions, innovative research, and superior networking opportunities. Click the link to sign up for updates. And remember, early interest could lead to winning a free registration before we open in early 2025!

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATION

Article: “56Fe-ion Exposure Increases the Incidence of Lung and Brain Tumors at a Similar Rate in Male and Female Mice”

Dr. David Kirsch and colleagues found 56Fe-ion exposure increases the incidence of lung and brain tumors at a similar rate in both male and female mice.

Finkelstein SR, Patel R, Deland K, Mercer J, Starr B, Zhu D, Min H, Reinsvold M, Campos LDS, Williams N, Luo L, Ma Y, Neff J, Hoenerhoff M, Moding EJ, Kirsch DG. 56Fe-ion Exposure Increases the Incidence of Lung and Brain Tumors at a Similar Rate in Male and Female Mice. Radiat Res. 2024 Sep 23. doi: 10.1667/RADE-24-00004.1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39307527.

Read more: 56Fe-ion Exposure Increases the Incidence of Lung and Brain Tumors at a Similar Rate in Male and Female Mice

POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY

• Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate in Astromycology
  Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, MD. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated and independent scientist for a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate position (depending on research experience) in the field of Astromycology. The focus of this role is on the role of fungal melanin in protecting against physical and chemical stressors relevant to the space environment, including radiation, temperature, humidity, pressure, and microgravity. This exciting opportunity also aims to elucidate the cellular and physicochemical mechanisms of fungal radiosynthesis, a process by which melanin absorbs electromagnetic energy and translates it into a form of energy that can be used by the cell for metabolic purposes. Understanding how fungi respond to the space environment is crucial because (1) fungi can infect spacecraft and potentially evolve virulent traits, and (2) fungi are a source of food, medicine, materials, and other industrial applications that can support human space exploration. Please submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your interest in the position, research experience, and contact information for at least two references to Dr. Radamés JB Cordero at rcorder4@jhu.edu with the subject line: JOB APPLICATION: ASTROMYCOLOGY.

JOBS

• AFRRI Research Biologist (GS-12). The AFRRI SRD is currently seeking to hire a Research Biologist. Applications are being accepted until September 3rd (This deadline may change). Job Duties detailed at the USA Jobs link.
   
• Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Tenure Track. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. he Department of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the tenure track. Applicants must have an M.D. or Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree. The successful applicant will be accomplished in the fields of Radiation or Tumor Biology, preferably with experience in one or more of the following areas: stem cell biology and tissue regeneration; normal tissue toxicity in response to radiation; ultra-high dose (FLASH) radiation; impact of radiation on cardiovascular system; cardiac electrophysiology; inflammation biology, particularly in arthritis development; tumor microenvironment; tumor immunology. We invite applications from outstanding laboratory and/or clinical investigators; candidates should have strong scholarly credentials, a record of extramural research funding and high impact publications. Applicants must and have demonstrated excellent qualifications in education and research. Physician-Scientist applicants must be board certified or eligible in Radiation Oncology.

• Chief Scientist – Radiation Effects Research Foundation. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) seeks candidates for Chief Scientist at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Hiroshima, Japan. The Chief Scientist provides scientific leadership of the research programs at RERF in Hiroshima, Japan; leads database integration efforts; plans and conducts research and participates in research collaborations with other RERF scientists, and reports to internal and external audiences including at national and international scientific meetings.